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Colombo Port backup team at the ready for virus emergencies
About 100 skilled workers, including marine pilots and crane operators, are on standby to respond to a coronavirus-related emergency at the Colombo Port, now declared an essential service.
The chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) General (retd) Daya Ratnayake indicated it was necessary to be prepared.
An extraordinary gazette was issued on December 30, by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, declaring the Sri Lanka Ports Authority services as an essential public service.
The gazette was issued under the Essential Public Services Act stating that the services at the port is “essential to the life of the community and is likely to be impeded or interrupted. The gazette said that all services, work or labour of any description necessary or required to be done by or in connection with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority services have been declared as an essential public service.’’
Despite COVID fears, work goes on at the Colombo Port. Pic by M. A. Pushpa Kumara
SLPA Chairman Ratnayake said: “The Port Authority was recovering from a major blow from the COVID-19 second wave with about 50 percent workers falling prey to the virus and those exposed to COVID infected going into self-quarantine. About 132 million rupees has been spent to return to normalcy from adapting to essential service requirements and providing Personal Protective Equipment. Though services have resumed, we are not taking a risk as it is an essential service, hence the standby cadre.’’
The coronavirus clusters in Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda infected hundreds where were sent into quarantine in since October disrupting cargo at the port.
As an immediate measure, retired employees and volunteers were called to temporarily fill in for those undergoing treatment and in quarantine.
Ratnayake said infections among workers have declined.
Three have tested positive out of 360 tested on Wednesday.
“Since the declaration as an essential service, the Ports Authority has introduced a rotational system and reduced the number of outside support like volunteers and retired staff. However we will pay and maintain a team of skilled workers such as marine pilots, and crane operators to ensure uninterrupted services as the pandemic threat remains. Still, we allocate a considerable amount to provide safe transport for workers, the majority of whom are from Colombo and Gampaha districts,” he said.
Some port workers fear the virus infection and this has led to low staff turnout. But staff are returning after the port was made an essential service. Workers are required to adhere to all health guidelines.